Cristiano Ronaldo's Incredible Post-Match Ritual Revealed

How does a world-class player like Cristiano Ronaldo stay at the top of his game while playing 60 games a year?

The answer, according to the man himself, is a regimented post-match warm-down ritual.

While many players will go out celebrating (or commiserating) following a game, still reeling from the adrenaline of performing in a stadium of adoring fans, the Portuguese star prefers to head home to ensure his physical and mental wellbeing are maintained.

Ronaldo explained the importance of what he does after a game to Spanish sports newspaper AS:

Recovery is more important to me than actual training sessions due to the large number of games I have to play. Winding down and resting is a key part of my day-to-day routine and enables me to perform to the highest level in my profession and prolong my career.

Here follows Ronaldo's post-match regime, as originally reported in AS.

Refueling Regime

When the final whistle blows, C-Ron gets straight to the task of replenishing lost nutrients and fluids.

According to AS, his post-match diet consists of fruit, a slice of pizza and "snacks rich in carbohydrates."

It may surprise you to hear that a professional athlete is chowing down on pizza straight after a match, but according to FourFourTwo magazine, the circular Italian feast can provide the perfect combo of carbs and protein for recovery.

As for the carb-rich snacks, one would speculate that these would include yoghurt, oatmeal and energy bars.

Bathed in Glory

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If Los Blancos are playing a home game, Ronaldo will waste no time in driving straight back to his mansion in the luxurious Pozuelo de Alarcon neighbourhood of La Finca (a plush Madrid suburb) to begin a bathing ritual.

The Portuguese star engages in a practise known as contrast bath therapy. First, he will spend around five minutes in a hot bath (somewhere between 38 and 44 degrees Celsius) before jumping into a cold bath for three minutes. This process is repeated for 30 minutes.

The idea behind the practise is to stimulate blood flow in areas of injury or strain, and to aid circulation. The process can also have an anti-inflammatory effect on any bruising he may have picked up.

AS refer to a study in the International Journal of Sports Medicine, which notes that this contrast therapy is the best method for immediate recovery.